Rev. Patrick Mahoney is a Presbyterian minister and pastor of Church on the Hill and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition both based in Washington, D.C., states:

"First of all, I applaud the Catholic Church for launching 'The Perfect Gift' campaign and reminding people all across our nation's capital of what Christmas is really about. It is not consumerism or materialism but rather the powerful message that the Christ child gave us on Christmas Day: peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

"I also stand with the Catholic Church in not being silent in responding to this outrageous trampling of a public expression of faith and the First Amendment and pursuing legal action against the transit authority. When I became aware of this, I knew that the evangelical community could not be silent on this matter and we had to make a strong public witness. We are also embracing the opportunity to share the beautiful, timeless message of our Lord's birth at Christmas.

"If the Transit Authority continues to ban these beautiful ads, we will encourage the faith community, people of good will and those who cherish the First Amendment to join with us in carrying hundreds of these ads on buses throughout the Christmas Season."